Roller mounting



A 1, 1950 G. A. K. HUNT 2,517,203

ROLLER MOUNTING Filed June 21, 1944 w gnu:

George 4. K. Hunt INVENTOR.

BY fiwyz M AT TORNE YI Patented Aug. 1, 1950 oFFicEYf ROLLER MOUNTING George A. K. Hunt, Pawleys Island, S 0., assignor to Chain Belt Compan poration of Wisconsin y, Milwaukee, Wis, a cor- Application June 21, 1944, Serial No. 541,378 2 Claims. (01. 295535),

This invention relates to roller conveyors and more particularly to the construction of the bear-- ing support for the rollers of coveyors employing one or more tracks for supporting or suspending the same.

The invention has been applied to the mounting of outboard rollers for conveyors and is particularly adapted for this purpose.

Hereto'iore, outboard rollers have been supported on case hardened steel bushings of generally cylindrical shape which were in turn secured on the through rods of the conveyor by cotter pins or the like. Each roller was held in place on its bushing by a loose washer disposed between the roller and the side of the conveyor or chain and by a flanged washer engaging the outer side of the roller and secured in place by the same cotter pin that fastened the bushing to the rod or axle.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a less costly and more durable roller mounting for conveyors.

Another object is to provide a stronger more wear resistant bushing for the roller mounting.

Another object is to protect the cotter pins against undue wear and breakage.

Another object is to provide a more simple mounting for outboard rollers.

Another object is to provide a strong cast metal bushing for the rollers.

According to the invention the conveyor has its rollers mounted on cast bushings, preferably of white cast iron, having an end flange integral therewith and serving to strengthen the same. Where the flange is on the outer end of the bushing a cotter pin guide is formed integrally thereon to protect the cotter pin against wear and displacement.

An embodiment of the invention as employed in outboard roller chain conveyors is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a typical outboard roller chain;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through an out board roller showing a mounting constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the roller and mounting. and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bushing.

The conveyor illustrated is of the apron type in which a series of pans I are individually supported on chain links 2, there usually being a chain at each side of the conveyor and each pan being supported upon a pair of links constituting the corresponding links of the respective chains.

Every other pair of links 2 is supported on an axle or rod 3, the rods 3 extending transversely of the conveyor and passing through central holes in the respective links. The rods 3 are secured against rotation in any suitable manner.

The outer ends of the rods 3 have the supporting outboard rollers t mounted for rotation thereon. The mounting comprises a cylindrical bushing 5 secured on the rod 3 and upon which the roller rotates. If desired, lubrication channels may be provided in the roller communicating with a grease fitting in one of the annular recesses on the side of the roller.

The bushing 5 has a head flange 6 cast integrally therewith at one end, preferably at the outer end. The number of parts is thereby reduced and by means of making the bushing of cast construction the cost is greatly reduced. A fillet is provided on the bushing pattern. between the flange and the shank portion in order to eliminate sharp corners in casting.

The bushing 5 is preferably constructed of white cast iron since it is a highly wear resistant material of uniform hardness throughout its thickness. The flange 6 on the end of the bushing serves to keep the roller in proper position on the bushing, and by reinforcing the bushing it tends to prevent cracking of the same which might result due to the brittleness of the material.

Where the flange I5 is on the outer end of the bushing, as illustrated, it is constructed of added thickness and has a groove 7 in its outer face curved to receive the cotter pin 3 which passes through a transverse hole in the end of rod 3. The added thickness of the flange produces side extensions serving as guides for the cotter pin 8 and to protect the cotter pin against injury or displacement. A suitable washer 9 is located between the roller 4 and chain link 2.

The construction illustrated provides a. simpler andless costly mounting for outboard rollers than those heretofore used, and one which has high wear resistance, thereby resulting in less maintenance cost.

While the invention has been described as applied to outboard roller mountings its principles may be employed in other roller mountings for conveyors.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a chain conveyor having an outboard roller mounted on a non-rotating axle secured to a conveyor member and extending trans! Versely through a chain element, a wear resistant bushing of white cast iron having the roller mounted thereon, a, flange integral with said bushing and bearing against the outer side of the roller to retain the same upon the bushing, and means interlocking with the bushing and axle tosecure the bushing against displacement upon theaxle, said flange serving to strengthen said bushing and prevent cracking thereof under conditions of high shock loads on the conveyor, and the end of said bushing confining *saidzsecuring means to prevent displacement thereof by spilling of load from theconveyor:

2. An outboard roller mounting-for conveyors and the like, comprising a bushing of white cast iron having a substantially miiformdiigh haldness throughout the thickness thereof, said bushing having an integral end flange headfur'hrilding the roller in place thereon and strengthening the bushing against cracking due to brittleness, and. said head having a recess therein for receiving a pin to secure the bushing against turning upon an axle, said bushing head serving to protect the pin against damage and displacement from falling objects spilling from the conveyor.

GEORGEA. K. HUNT.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file Of "this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS ,Number Name Date 630,914 *Myers Aug. 15, 1899 $1,038,962 ,Rivers Sept. 17, 1912 1,461,223 Nauts July 10, 1923 1,824,756 Welser Sept. 22, 1931 

